**President Trump Raises Possibility of “Taking” Cuba Amid Economic Opening**
President Donald Trump on Monday sparked controversy by suggesting the United States might “take” Cuba. Speaking to reporters at the White House, he said, “I do believe I will be having the honor of taking Cuba.” He added, “Taking Cuba. I mean, whether I free it, take it. I think I can do anything I want with it. They’re a very weakened nation right now.”
The president’s remarks came on the same day Cuban officials planned to announce a significant opening of their communist government to foreign investment, including from U.S. businesses.
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**Cuba Opens Door to Foreign and Cuban American Investment**
In an interview with NBC News published Monday morning, Cuba’s Deputy Prime Minister Oscar Pérez-Oliva Fraga said, “Cuba is open to having a fluid commercial relationship with U.S. companies, also with Cubans residing in the United States and their descendants.”
While it remains unclear how extensive Cuba’s economic opening will be, and how it compares to reforms during Barack Obama’s presidency a decade ago, the announcement follows a severe humanitarian and energy crisis on the island.
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**Cuban Crisis Deepens Amid U.S. Blockade**
Cuba’s communist government is grappling with a dire situation marked by energy shortages, food scarcity, and rare public protests. Experts warn the island could run out of fuel within weeks due to a de facto blockade imposed by the Trump administration.
For the past three months, the U.S. has cut off Cuba’s access to foreign oil shipments, including those from Venezuela, leading to frequent blackouts. A broad power outage occurred Monday, forcing hospitals to postpone procedures, thereby exacerbating the humanitarian crisis.
In response to NBC’s interview, the Cuban government stated online that “Cuban citizens living abroad, in places like Miami, will be able to invest in the private sector and own businesses in their native country.”
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**Historical Context and Current Negotiations**
The Obama administration had previously opened opportunities for American investors to engage with Cuba’s private sector, but the Cuban government stalled these efforts. Subsequently, the Trump administration rescinded Obama’s measures.
Beyond private enterprises, Cuba plans to welcome investments in its aging infrastructure, Pérez-Oliva Fraga told NBC. However, due to the long-standing U.S. embargo, attracting U.S. capital remains a significant challenge.
Sources close to ongoing negotiations reveal that the Trump administration is assessing whether Cuba’s announced changes are substantial and structural rather than cosmetic before deciding on issuing licenses for investments.
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**Mixed Reactions Among Cuban Americans and U.S. Officials**
Carlos Gimenez, a Cuban American Republican congressman from Florida, expressed skepticism on social platform X, stating in Spanish, “There will be ZERO investment from the US unless there is MAJOR political change on the island.”
The Trump administration has warned that Cuba could face consequences akin to Venezuela’s fate if it fails to enact reforms. Notably, in January, the U.S. military captured Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro after he refused to step down.
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**Cuban President Díaz-Canel Engages in Talks**
On Friday, Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel acknowledged a televised discussion involving negotiations with Trump administration officials aimed at resolving the standoff.
During a 90-minute address, Díaz-Canel announced that an upcoming decision would “greatly facilitate” the participation of Cubans abroad in the island’s “economic and social development program.” This strongly hinted at policy changes allowing Cuban Americans and others worldwide to own businesses and invest in Cuba’s private sector.
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**Engaging the Cuban Diaspora**
Demographers estimate over 2 million Cubans have emigrated in the past five years. Díaz-Canel emphasized the government’s responsibility to “embrace them, listen to them, tend to them and offer them a space to participate in the economic and social development.”
Cuban exiles in Florida and elsewhere have long advocated for the ability to invest in Cuba’s economy. Officials have signaled that Monday’s announcement could allow exiles to return freely and operate a type of enterprise recognized by the government since 2021.
These entities are permitted to import goods, provide services, and generate jobs, and have quickly become vital to Cuba’s economy. For example, private supermarkets, though costlier than state-run stores, offer a wider selection of food.
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**U.S. Restrictions and Business Opportunities**
For more foreign entrepreneurs to participate, the U.S. government would need to ease current restrictions on travel and commerce with Cuba.
Hugo Cancio, a prominent Cuban American businessman in Miami, runs Katapulk, an e-commerce platform often described as “Cuba’s Amazon.” It allows Cubans abroad to order and ship goods to relatives on the island.
Cancio established Katapulk as a U.S.-based company with special licenses enabling partnerships with Cuban businesses that handle deliveries locally. However, U.S. restrictions have occasionally hindered operations.
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**A Potential Bridge Between Cuba and Washington**
If Cuba permits Cuban Americans to own businesses locally, they could serve as a bridge to Washington, Cancio said. He believes that as the Cuban government recognizes diaspora rights and inclusion in economic and potential political reforms, Cuban exiles will become advocates for lifting U.S. sanctions.
“We will be the ones that will talk to Washington and say, ‘Our country now recognizes us, and we want to be part of that transformation,’” Cancio stated.
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**Conclusion**
Monday’s announcements mark a pivotal moment in Cuba’s economic and political landscape. Whether the changes will lead to meaningful reforms and improved relations with the United States remains to be seen. Meanwhile, the Cuban diaspora watches closely, hopeful that newfound opportunities will pave the way for economic revitalization and greater national unity.
https://www.boston.com/news/politics/2026/03/16/trump-says-he-will-have-the-honor-of-taking-cuba/